Apple’s 12.9-inch next generation iPad Pro released into the market late last year has just welcomed a more portable successor: the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

The 9.7-inch latest model of Apple iPad Pro which was recently unveiled alongside a 4-inch iPhone SE share almost the same features with its predecessor save for attributes like size, weight, display, camera, Wi-Fi models storage capacity, video recording and battery. Putting together their features, starting with their differences, let’s see how they compare:

iPad Pro design (size/colour)

The most obvious difference between the two Apple tablets is their size. The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro is significantly smaller and slimmer in body size with a smaller dimension of 9.4-inch (240mm) x 6.6-inch (169.5mm) x 0.24-inch (6.1mm), while the previous 12.9-inch model is larger with a larger dimension of 12-inch (305.7mm) x 8.68-inch (220.6mm) x 0.27-inch (6.9mm).

The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro comes in four colour variants of silver, gold, space grey and rose gold. Rose gold is a new colour added to the already existing three colours of the previous model, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro on the other hand, comes in only three colour options of silver, gold, space grey, with an exception of rose gold.
The-new-9.7-inch-iPad-Pro-and-its-predecessor-the-12.9-inch-iPad-Pro

In terms of weight, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is much lighter than its predecessor. Its Wi-Fi models alone weigh 0.96 pound (437 grams) and the combination of its Wi-Fi and Cellular models weigh 0.98 pound (444 grams).

The 12.9‑inch iPad Pro on the other hand is weightier than its successor with its Wi-Fi models alone which weigh 1.57 pounds (713 grams) and the combination of its Wi-Fi and Cellular models which weigh 1.59 pounds (723 grams).

DISPLAY- The larger iPad Pro features a 12.9-inch retina display with 2732 x 2048 resolution which results in 264 pixels per inch (ppi).

The smaller model which features a 9.7-inch retina display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution also results in the same 264 pixels per inch (ppi) as its predecessor.

However, the display of the latest iPad Pro model can also measure pressure which allows it to work with the Apple Pencil just like the larger iPad Pro does. However, users of the smaller model will be able to draw and design as they would on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro but on a smaller, more portable device.
Apple-iPad-Pro-Pencil

In addition, the new model features what Apple calls a True Tone display as well as a wide colour display, which means that the smaller model has a slightly improved display experience than the larger model.

CAMERA– The 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro has 8-megapixel iSight camera with an f/2.4 aperture, coupled with 1.2-megapixel front camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The rear camera is capable of 1080p video recording, while the front-facing camera will manage 720p.

The 9.7-inch Apple Pro does not only add a True Tone flash to the mix, making it the first iPad to offer this feature, but it also bumps up the resolution. The new 9.7-inch iPad offers a 12-megapixel snapper with f/2.2 aperture and 4K video recording capabilities, as well as a 5-megapixel front facing camera with Retina Flash. It’s more or less like the iPhone 6S but in tablet format.
Back view of the new-9.7-inch-iPad-Pro-and-the-12.9-inch-iPad showing

Both the front and rear cameras of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro shoot at a higher resolution, larger pixel size and faster aperture which should expectedly produce better results in low light in particular than the larger model

This means the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the most capable Apple tablet available in terms of camera and has a noticeable improvement over the larger iPad Pro.

Wi-Fi/CELLULAR MODELS- In terms of storage, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi models alone come with 32GB, 128GB and 256GB options while the combination of its Wi-Fi and Cellular models also come with 32GB, 128GB and 256GB options.

In the case of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, its Wi-Fi models alone come with the same option as the smaller model but the combination of its Wi-Fi and Cellular models come with 32GB and 128GB options alone.

VIDEO RECORDING- Apple’s larger model of iPad Pro comes with a slo-mo video support for 720p at 120 fps and 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps while its smaller model comes with a slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps and 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps.

In addition to the above stated superior features, the smaller version also comes with upgraded features of 4K video recording (3840 by 2160) at 30 fps, and 720p HD video recording at 30 fps.

Although both models feature video image stabilization, that of the smaller version is a combination of time-lapse and cinematic video stabilization which makes it superior.

BATTERY- The 12.9-inch iPad Pro comes with a built‐in 38.5‐watt‐hour rechargeable lithium‐polymer battery, but no specifications has been stated by Apple as to its usage durability.

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro comes with a built-in 27.5-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery which when running all its models, lasts up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music. When running its Wi-Fi and Cellular models, it lasts up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network.

SIMILARITIESThe 9.7-inch iPad Pro with its Pencil

[quote font=”georgia” font_size=”22″ font_style=”italic” align=”left” bgcolor=”#” color=”#” bcolor=”#” arrow=”yes”]However, the display of the latest iPad Pro model can also measure pressure which allows it to work with the Apple Pencil just like the larger iPad Pro does. However, users of the smaller model will be able to draw and design as they would on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro but on a smaller, more portable device.[/quote]In terms of similarities, both of the Apple iPad Pro models come with iOS 9, offering all the features you would expect including Apple Pay support, AirDrop, AirPlay, Spotlight Search, Apple Music and Family Sharing among others. They also come complete with Pages, Numbers and Keynote, offering users the company’s productivity built-in apps.

The remaining similar features shared by both models include the same A9X chip with 64‑bit architecture, M9 co processor, language support system; Audio playback technology; Mail attachment support; Environmental requirements; System requirements; Nano-SIM (supports Apple SIM); Dual microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording; four speaker audio; FaceTime audio/video to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or cellular.

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